Drug-Related Problems and Pharmacist Interventions in Paediatric In-Patients at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study
1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
- 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, B.V.V.S, H.S.K. College of Pharmacy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, INDIA.
CORRESPONDENCE
Raghavendra Shivaram Hegde
Department of Pharmacy Practice, B.V.V.S, H.S.K. College of Pharmacy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, INDIA.
Received: 11-05-2026; Accepted: 27-07-2026.
Volume 19, Issue 4 · pp. 517-524 · 2026 · DOI: 10.5530/ijopp.20260927
ABSTRACT
Background: Paediatric in-patients are particularly vulnerable to Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) owing to physiological immaturity, weight-based dosing, and widespread off-label medicine use.Objectives: To identify and categorise DRPs, evaluate prescribing patterns and rationality against standard guidelines, assess pharmacist intervention outcomes, and perform a cost analysis of drug therapy in paediatric in-patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital.Materials and Methods: A six-month prospective observational study was conducted in the PICU, NICU, and General Paediatric wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 135 in-patients aged 18 years or younger were enrolled. Prescriptions were reviewed daily; DRPs were classified using the Strand classification; rationality was assessed against Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) recommendations. The chi-square test was applied, with significance set at p<0.05.Results: Of 135 patients, lower respiratory tract infection was the most frequent diagnosis (25.9%). Overall, 71.85% of prescriptions were rational and 28.15% irrational. A total of 139 DRPs were identified, predominantly drug-drug interactions (38.1%) and adverse drug reactions (20.9%). Polypharmacy occurred in 84.4% of patients and accounted for 79.1% of DRPs. Of 139 pharmacist suggestions, 46.8% were accepted by physicians, resulting in a change of therapy in 36.0% of cases.Conclusion: The high burden of DRPs and irrational prescribing supports routine clinical pharmacist participation in paediatric care. Physician receptiveness to suggestions demonstrates the clinical relevance of these services.
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Hegde, R. S., Sowmya, S., Sree, R., Rathod, A. S., Shalavadi, M., & Keshannavar, M. (2026). Drug-Related Problems and Pharmacist Interventions in Paediatric In-Patients at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 19(4), 517-524. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijopp.20260927
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